Sheath – Part 02
Research on demons was abandoned at the end of the war.
Demons come in many forms. Some resemble humans, some animals, and some take the form of cold, lifeless matter. The reasons for these differences were still unknown. There were many variables—the circumstances surrounding the pact, regional traits, Aetherial density—but no one had fully unraveled the mystery.
“But there is a reason for the birth of Infernal Blades.”
An Infernal Blade was a demon capable of transforming into a sword, or perhaps a sword that is itself a demon, imbued with special powers. At the core of its creation was one thing.
“The contractor’s intense emotions. Specifically, hatred towards God.”
“Why must I suffer like this?”
“Why do these Demon Pacts exist?”
“Was I born only to rot and become a demon?”
“Oh God, almighty Father, Creator of all.”
“I will never forgive you for creating this cursed practice!”
The bitterness of those who formed Demon Pacts—their animosity toward the creator of this world, and by extension, Valbanill, the architect of this twisted technique—manifested as Infernal Blades.
Some Infernal Blades could take on human forms, while others couldn’t. This too depended on the intensity of that hatred. It was this deep-rooted loathing that created unique Infernal Blades like the rapier Aria or the flamberge Evadne, demons with their own unique signature, each continuing to live on until their time came.
“Ironic, isn’t it?” Aria said, seated on the round stool Lisa had brought over. “They say Demon Pacts were designed by Valbanill to make humans slaughter one another. But it backfired, and Infernal Blades were born, turning against Valbanill. It’s not just me. There are probably dozens, maybe hundreds of us. And yet, we can only survive by feeding on the Aetheria that Valbanill itself creates. So many contradictions, really.”
She stared at her palm. Her hand, her body, was a tangle of hideous aberration, riddled with contradictions.
Cecily had once said that she was a sword that protects people. But Aria knew she wasn’t the pure being Cecily believed her to be.
She pushed the thought aside and raised her head. “In short, Infernal Blades have the potential to oppose Valbanill. At least, it’s possible. Considering what’s been happening in the city and how Charlotte was sent against us, I’m probably being targeted for that reason.”
Lisa had knelt beside her, gently holding her hand. She was staring up at her with moist eyes. Aria gave her a reassuring smile.
“Siegfried is gathering Infernal Blades, and he’s from the Empire,” Luke muttered to himself. He had been listening quietly with his arms crossed.
Siegfried was the leader of a newly formed band of warriors in the Empire. While there was no concrete proof, he was suspected to be behind the recent incidents involving Infernal Blades, or at least connected to them.
“The Empire doesn’t have anyone with knowledge of blacksmithing techniques, so they’re after Infernal Blades to use in place of Sacred Swords. Is that it?”
Their use of such heavy-handed tactics likely stemmed from a desire to concentrate all “power” under their control.
“What a rotten country. Calling it an empire is almost a joke.”
“Anyway,” Aria cut off the political discussion. “That’s all the information I’ve got. What do you think? Given your ties to all of this, I’d say it’s decent intel, don’t you think?”
Luke fell silent with a frown.
What, still not enough? Aria wondered.
“Um,” Lisa cut in hesitantly. “Does Cecily know about any of this?”
Aria shook her head.
“Why not?”
“I can’t keep depending on Cecily all the time.”
Aria knew Cecily well enough that she could already picture how her partner would react if she revealed the truth about the Infernal Blades. She could see it very clearly.
“You’re not corrupted. I’ll prove it to you. You’re a sword meant to protect!”
Cecily would cheer her up, passionately and sincerely. And Aria knew she would bask in that warmth, soaking up the comfort Cecily offered. But deep down, she knew—things couldn’t go on like that.
“I decide my own worth,” Aria said firmly.
She had to define her value herself, forge it with her own hands. You should be the one to assign your own worth. She didn’t want others to make her into a sword that protects. She wanted to become one through her own efforts. Just like Lisa had done.
Aria gently stroked Lisa’s head, feeling the soft, ashy blonde strands between her fingers. Lisa tilted her head curiously.
“I will change, I will butt in, and I will fight!”
I have to fight, too.
“That’s how I’ll stand alongside Cecily.”
“Is that why you want a sheath?” Luke asked.
Aria didn’t answer. Instead, she put on a playful smile.
“I’ve given you ample information. It’s time for you to hold up your end of the bargain, Luke. If not, I might just tell Cecily all about the dangers of conjuring Infernal Blades.”
Luke’s right eye widened, and Lisa let out a startled squeak. “H-How do you know about that?!”
“I thought over what you said before. About losing everything together. Cecily might’ve brushed it off, but I didn’t.”
Aria wasn’t sure how Luke felt about those words, but it was clear they meant a lot to Lisa. But from an outsider’s perspective, was there anything in their relationship that suggested they might lose something together?
After some thought, Lisa’s words, “It’s an important promise I made with Luke as a demon,” gave Aria a clue. Lisa’s ability to conjure Infernal Blades was still a mystery to both Cecily and Aria. It was only a theory, but judging by their reactions, she’d hit the nail on the head. She felt relieved.
“I don’t know exactly what it is you’ll lose,” Aria continued, “but if Cecily found out, things would get messy, wouldn’t they? So I’m keeping it to myself.”
“Fine. That’s enough,” Luke sighed, finally giving in. “I’ll do it. But there’s one more condition. I’ll have to tell Housman and that old geezer Hannibal about the Infernal Blades. The Empire’s involved, after all. And when the time comes, you’ll tell Cecily yourself.”
“Of course,” Aria agreed, pleased with the outcome. “Thanks, Luke.”
“I still owe you for saving Lisa’s life. Think of this as repayment.”
“Huh? What are you talking about?” Aria raised a sharp brow. “You mean that incident with the Inhuman?”
Luke blinked, confused.
“Cecily and I protecting citizens is a given. That’s our duty. Don’t mix that up with personal favors. Keep those things separate, okay?”
Luke and Lisa exchanged glances before both let out a small laugh.
“Wh-What’s so funny?” Aria asked.
“Nothing,” Luke said with a grin.
“Nothing at all,” Lisa echoed, smiling.
Did I say something weird? Aria wondered.
Ignoring her, Luke rolled his shoulders and said, “All right, then. Let’s get started. First, transform into your Infernal Blade form.”
Aria appreciated this impatient side of him. Nodding, she recited the incantation—the words of transformation she could never be comfortable with.
“Unshackle from slumber. Seize the truth. The wind, in my hand. Slay God.”
Aria was set to stay at Atelier Liza for a while.
Apparently, there was a subtle difference in the construction of a regular sword’s sheath compared to a katana’s. Sword sheaths were often made of expensive brass or tough leather, while katana sheaths used wood. Since Atelier Liza specialized in crafting katanas, Aria’s sheath would follow the traditional katana method.
Crafting an intricate sheath would take several days. On the continent, where the mold casting method of forging had become mainstream, different fields were being consolidated into one role. But traditionally, katana sheaths passed through the hands of several craftsmen, like sheath makers and lacquerers.
“But we’re short on time, so I’ll handle it all myself,” Luke said. “Even then, it’ll take longer than making a regular sheath, so keep that in mind.”
After measuring Aria’s blade, Luke fetched a long piece of magnolia wood from inside the smithy. Harvested from the Ashen Woods, this wood would be the material used for the sheath. Typically, magnolia needed to be seasoned for about ten years before use, but thanks to the Aetheria in the forest, trees of similar quality grew regularly.
Magnolia was ideal because it was free of oil and didn’t produce resin, reducing the risk of the blade rusting. Luke split the wood in two and used a chisel to carve out each half to fit the blade’s shape. Throughout the process, Aria remained in her Infernal Blade form, ensuring the sheath would match her exact dimensions.
After smoothing out the chisel marks, Luke glued the two halves together, then beveled the edges and polished the surface with the leaves of a muku tree. By this point, Aria had returned to her human form and watched Luke’s work. Lisa was out collecting scrap metal.
In the dim smithy, Luke worked silently, polishing the sheath. A rapier’s blade was much thinner than a typical double-edged sword or katana, making the sheath long and narrow by comparison. Without the familiar curve, it almost looked like a simple stick.
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